Chapter 175: The Appearance of Nine-Heart Begonia, Meng Yiran's Mentality
Outside the house, the morning birdsong finally stirred Tang Hao from his deep slumber. As he awoke, he realized he was no longer by the river or sprawled out on the riverbank but rather inside a room.
Taking stock of his surroundings, Tang Hao noted that his injuries had been temporarily treated. Both his right arm and left leg were bandaged, with signs of healing soul force indicating the intervention of a skilled healing-type soul master.
Sunlight streamed through the window, suggesting it was at least noon. Lying in bed, Tang Hao attempted to move his body, only to find himself weakened and unable to move anything except his neck.
"Squeak—"
The door creaked open, and a figure entered. It was a short-haired girl, roughly the same age as his son Tang San, carrying a bowl of steaming porridge.
"Oh, you're awake?" The girl expressed surprise at Tang Hao's alertness. "With such severe injuries, I thought you wouldn't wake up for at least half a month."
Placing the porridge on the bedside table, the girl sat beside Tang Hao and kindly inquired about his condition.
Tang Hao nodded faintly and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, young lady. Did you save me?"
The girl chuckled. "Not just me, but also my grandparents. Three days ago, while we were hunting for a soul ring, we found you floating in the river, and that's how we saved you. You were fortunate. If not for me, they might not have decided to help."
Tang Hao couldn't help but smile wryly at the situation. He, the mighty Sky Douluo, saved by a young girl.
"Uncle, you seem to be a soul master, right? And you seem strong. My grandpa said your injuries look severe, probably because you've offended some powerful enemy?" the girl asked.
Tang Hao nodded gravely. "A very powerful enemy."
The mention of his severed arm and leg reignited a flash of anger within Tang Hao. He had underestimated Qian Daoliu, and now he paid the price.
"Rest and heal for now. Here, let me feed you this bowl of porridge," the girl said, offering the meal to Tang Hao.
After being fed, Tang Hao decided not to reveal his true identity, introducing himself as "Yang Tian."
As Meng Yiran left the room, Tang Hao began absorbing soul force to heal his body. His soul force was nearly depleted, and he needed to recover swiftly to return to the Haotian Sect.
"These people's grandparents saved me; their family must be soul masters. If there's a chance, I'll repay their kindness," Tang Hao resolved as he circulated his soul force.
By evening, Tang Hao felt his soul force replenish every meridian in his body, thanks to the healing techniques applied to him.
"It seems this young lady's family is extraordinary—probably some hidden major family," Tang Hao mused.
As he sat up, Meng Yiran entered, surprised by his progress.
"Uncle Yang! You can sit up?!" she exclaimed.
Tang Hao's recovery impressed her, and he knew he owed a debt of gratitude to her family.
At this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun cast a warm light upon Tang Hao's weathered cheeks, adding an indescribable charm to his appearance. Upon seeing Tang Hao's face, Meng Yiran felt as if she could read many past stories from it, standing there somewhat dazedly.
"How handsome…" Meng Yiran couldn't help but murmur to herself.
"Miss Meng, what did you say?" Tang Hao, not having heard her clearly due to the softness of her voice, asked.
Prompted by Tang Hao's words, Meng Yiran suddenly realized she had been lost in thought, and her face instantly turned red.
She hurriedly explained, "I... I just wanted to see if you were resting, to ask if you wanted to have dinner."
Meng Yiran, looking at Tang Hao, who sat there with a dignified and imposing demeanor, suddenly had a bright idea: "Since Uncle Yang, you are awake as well, why not join us for dinner?"
Tang Hao nodded slightly in response: "Alright."
This was an opportunity to express his gratitude to Meng Yiran and her grandparents.
And indeed, he was somewhat hungry.
Subsequently, with Meng Yiran's assistance, Tang Hao finally arrived at a dining hall.
Inside the hall, there was a table that was neither too large nor too small, perfectly accommodating eight people.
However, as they passed through the corridor, Tang Hao noticed a crest on the wall, featuring two crossed canes – a family emblem recognizable to anyone from the upper sects.
Though the emblem seemed familiar to Tang Hao, he couldn't recall which family it belonged to.
Upon arriving at the dining room with Meng Yiran's help, he saw an elderly couple sitting at the head of the table.
The old man had white hair but a straight back and an extraordinary demeanor, while the old woman had a kind face, resembling a friendly grandmother.
From both of them, Tang Hao could sense an extraordinary soul force.
A Soul Douluo and a Soul Saint.
At the other side of the table, Tang Hao saw a young girl with silver short hair, sitting next to a seemingly unremarkable old woman.
This old woman was not ordinary either.
Even though Tang Hao had fallen in realm, his perception remained sharp, immediately recognizing her strength.
Meng Yiran's family was clearly extraordinary.
"Grandpa, Grandma, look, Uncle Yang can stand up now," Meng Yiran cheerfully said as she brought Tang Hao to the table.
Upon hearing his granddaughter's happy voice, Long Gong looked up and locked eyes with Tang Hao.
In that moment, he raised an eyebrow.
Who is this man?
Why does he give me a sense of intimidation?
Currently a Soul Douluo, Long Gong was confident in his strength, feeling that only Title Douluos could pose a challenge to him.
Yet, upon making eye contact with Tang Hao, he felt a shiver down his spine, sensing a hidden murderous intent.
"A hidden killer intent, not apparent in his demeanor, this is a sign of a master," Long Gong internally assessed Tang Hao.
He was certain.
Tang Hao was a top-tier fighter!
Despite only radiating the aura of a Soul Saint, Long Gong felt that he would undoubtedly lose in a confrontation.
"So, you are Yang Tian. I am Long Gong, please have a seat," said Long Gong, standing up and greeting Tang Hao with a fist and palm salute.
Seeing her husband greeting Tang Hao with such respect was surprising to Granny Chao Tian Xiang.
She knew her husband's pride and his long-standing reputation as a powerful Soul Master with Soul Douluo strength.
Ordinary Soul Masters wouldn't merit such a greeting from him.
The surprise wasn't limited to Granny Chao Tian Xiang; everyone, including Meng Yiran and the unremarkable old woman, were taken aback.
Especially Meng Yiran.
She had seldom seen her grandfather greet anyone with such respect, as it was usually others who paid their respects to him.
This made her look at Tang Hao with curiosity, wondering about the identity of Uncle Yang Tian beside her.
"I am Yang Tian," Tang Hao greeted in return.
At this moment, he also recognized the identities of Long Gong and the old woman beside him.
Long Gong.
Granny Chao Tian Xiang.
These were renowned figures even when he was still making his mark on the continent, known as the Invincible Dragon and Snake duo.
They were famed for their soul fusion skill, capable of contending with a Soul Douluo back in the day.
Now, with further advancement in their realms, they could likely challenge even a Title Douluo.
"Please, take a seat," Long Gong gestured, and Meng Yiran led Tang Hao to his seat.
"Brother Yang, this is my wife, Granny Chao Tian Xiang. On the continent, she is affectionately known as 'Snake Granny.'"
Tang Hao once again paid his respects to Granny Chao Tian Xiang.
"Ah, Brother Yang, let me properly introduce you to someone important," Long Gong began introducing the old woman sitting next to the silver-haired girl.
"This is Elder Ye. You can simply call her Elder Ye."
"Your injuries were treated by Elder Ye herself."
"It was her Nine-Heart Begonia soul skill that allowed you to recover so quickly."
Hearing this, Tang Hao's expression changed drastically.
Nine-Heart Begonia?! As a former successor of the Haotian Sect, how could Tang Hao not be aware of the Nine-Heart Begonia soul skill?
Rumored to rival and even potentially surpass the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in power, the Nine-Heart Begonia and its inheritors were exceedingly rare.
With each generation, only two individuals could possess the Nine-Heart Begonia soul skill, effectively making it known that only one successor exists at any given time.
Moreover, the Nine-Heart Begonia was known for its ultimate healing abilities.
All nine of its soul skills were dedicated to healing, making its healing capabilities unparalleled among all soul skills.
Any family would desire to have a younger member marry a Nine-Heart Begonia inheritor, securing the powerful soul skill within their family.
"With that said, the girl sitting next to Elder Ye must be the current inheritor of the Nine-Heart Begonia soul skill," Tang Hao thought, thanking Elder Ye for saving his life.
Elder Ye shook her head slowly, "I was merely visiting friends and happened to be here."
"If you must thank someone, thank Old Meng, Granny Chao, and Yiran. If it weren't for them, an ordinary person wouldn't have saved you."
Tang Hao nodded, "I understand. I will keep this act of kindness in my heart," and once again expressed his gratitude to everyone present.
"Ha-ha, it was nothing, Brother Yang. Let's eat," Long Gong laughed heartily, and the family's servants began serving various delicious dishes.
After a satisfying meal, Long Gong turned to Tang Hao and asked, "Brother Yang, what exactly happened to you? Your strength seems extraordinary, even surpassing mine. How did you end up in such a state?"
Long Gong's question immediately drew everyone's attention to Tang Hao.
"It was because of the Spirit Hall."
(End of Chapter)
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